Effects of a Brief Mindfulness-Based Intervention on Depression, Anxiety, and Stress in Senior Students

Abstract

Senior students are subject to several demands relative to the transition from the academic to professional environment. This pressure can lead to an increase in psychological symptoms. The aim of this study was to identify the possible effects of a brief mindfulness-based intervention on depression, anxiety, and stress in senior students. Another objective was to evaluate whether there was an association between the amount of meditative practices performed by the participants and the possible effects of the intervention. The study had a pre-experimental design, with pre- and post-intervention test and comparative and correlational measures. The intervention of six weekly meetings was attended by 34 participants and held in a university located in the south of Brazil. The results revealed a significant reduction in the three dimensions analyzed, according to the DASS-21 instrument. The scores showed a significant decrease in the level of depression with a large effect size, as well as a decrease in anxiety and stress levels with medium effect sizes. No associations were found between the amount of meditative practices performed by the undergraduates and the effects of the variables. It was concluded that a brief mindfulness intervention is capable of promoting mental health in academic contexts.